[J]ust about the best book for non-lawyers on the nature and workings of the Australian Constitution I have ever encountered. ... Public debate on constitutional issues in Australia would be greatly improved if journalists, let alone the general public were to read this work in great numbers. ... Where the scholarly nature of the author does shine through though is in the choice of material. This is not a mere annotation of the Australian Constitution. Nor is it a 'dumbed down' version of a law school course in constitutional law. The book provides a wonderful summary of history of constitutonalism in England and her Australian colonies and the move towards Federation in Australia. In particular the account of the 1890s Constitutional Convention is excellent. Fundamental questions such as a 'What is a Parliament?' are dealt with in a manner which, despite the simplified language, is often profoundly insightful. ... It would be read with great profit by high school students, students of political science and history, journalists and the general public. ... a distinguished constitutional mind trying so hard and so successfully to express herself as simply and clearly as possible. - Ethos (Law Society of the ACT), No 190, December 2003 The book, like its predecessor of 1998, is divided into three main sections which reflect Professor Saunders' chosen questions: what kind of say do I have as a citizen? How are decisions made in the nation? And what are the limits on governmental action vis a vis the citizenry? The Introductory part of the book concisely explains what a constitution is, how a constitution comes into being, and what the significant contents are. ... The sections are well-written in a clear, inclusive style. ... Professor Saunders has managed very effectively to encapsulate the key features of the Constitution in a readable text of 200 pages. - Katherine Lindsay, Law Institute (Vic) Journal, October 2004